Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

was a well-known figure who was undoubtedly dead, for no hu man being can survive a beheading. But John had died in an ar ea removed from the center of Jewish power and resistance to Christ. According to Josephus, the famous Jewish historian, the desert prophet was imprisoned and executed in the fortress of Macherus, which was located on the east side of the Dead Sea.* John’s disciples took delivery of the mutilated body and gave it burial, but there is no positive evidence of the location. Accord ing to the Encyclopedia Britannica , it was taught from A.D. 360 on, that John the Baptist was buried at Aenon by Salim, but there is no confirmation of this. But whether it was near the for tress where he was imprisoned or in some nearby site, in both cases it was too far removed from a public place where the mir acle needed to be performed under full open scrutiny. Further more, John had already finished his work on this earth and the Eternal Father had other plans for him. Lazarus however, met all the required specifications. He had lived, died, and was buried in Bethany, less than two miles from Jerusalem where many people could witness the act; he was a well-known figure because of his identification with Christ; he was totally dedicated to God’s cause; and, because time was giv en for his body to decompose, it could not be denied that a real resurrection had been achieved.

Did God Plan the Death of Lazarus?

It might seem therefore, that God planned the death of Laz arus in order to consummate a purpose which could be achieved in no other way. But if that were so, then God is a destroyer who

* "Now, when [many] others came to crowd about him [John the Baptist], for they were greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to pre

vent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it should be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before men tioned, and was there put to death." Antiquities of the Jews , Book XVIII, chapter v, paragraph 2.